From buildings to networks – what we’re hearing about the future of workspace

It’s been a busy start to 2026 with our teams travelling across Europe to a raft of different conferences and events. Covering everything from retail and office, through to AI and business, there has been plenty of food for thought. Last month, some of our colleagues headed to the Workspace Design Show and one message came through consistently – the workplace is no longer just a place.

The office today is a network, and colleagues are looking for that ‘social contract’ when choosing a role. But, what does that mean in principle? Traditionally, work meant showing up, getting the job done, going home, but that model no longer works as a standalone concept – people are seeking belonging, trust, community and purpose from their career choices.

Hybrid work may be the preferred model for UK jobseekers, but the value of being in the office for connection, mentorship and career growth remains strong. The question is no longer how many days people are present — it’s what that presence enables. Of course, that’s not necessarily a new concept, we know that trust builds faster in person, nuance is easier, decisions accelerate and genuine culture becomes tangible.

But what it does enable, is networks to shape belonging more than policies do. The strength of daily interactions determines whether someone feels included, and that’s what breeds productivity and loyalty. So, in that sense, the network is becoming the platform – and the building supports it.

Our OpeEx director, Kirsty Shearer joined a panel discussion on this very topic – exploring how organisations like ours, can foster a sense of community even when people are in a multitude of locations. Brands are leaning into technology as an enabler, to help teams work more efficiently and therefore free up that precious time to collaborate and bond as a team. The office then becomes more of a cultural anchor, community hub, and brand showcase, rather than a control centre.

As such, headquarters aren’t disappearing, but being reframed.

Sustainability must move beyond “green”

With many talks dedicated to the topic of design and longevity, there was strong consensus that sustainability has been overly simplified. It is not just about materials, embodied carbon or plants, but about asking ourselves; ‘will this space still serve its purpose in 10, 20, 30 years?’

80 percent of London’s current building stock will still be here in 2050. That means adaptability is not optional – designing for evolving teams, changing behaviours and new technologies is ESG. Because of this, it’s important we stop treating sustainability as an aesthetic layer added at the end. Nature, light and wellbeing need to be embedded into briefs from the very start – not value engineered out when budgets tighten.

No one ever says: “I hate trees, remove them,” but they are often the easiest line to cut on a spreadsheet. Which is interesting, because one of the most compelling sessions explored how our brains respond to space. We live in a state of constant stimulation – notifications, noise, commutes and screens – which means we rarely allow the brain’s default mode network, the one responsible for imagination, reflection and long-term thinking, to activate.

But, research has proven that nature enables that shift. Natural light supports circadian rhythms, greenery encourages “soft fascination”, walking meetings create cognitive space and even soundscapes can regulate attention.

This is not about trend-led ‘biophilic design’ – a phrase which some said can actually alienate clients – but rather, about understanding that humans are nature, and our environments either support or fight that biology.

Across every session, one theme remained consistent – people first. Because, the workplace of the future is not defined by square metres, but by connection, adaptability and experience.